Selective control mechanism for radio sets



June 21, 1932. H. R. MILLER SELECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 26. 1930 "II" III!" "III III! I 4 Sheets-Sheet l I lllllll lllllll Illlll lllllll llllll IIHIIII Hill} HHIIII fiencg 1?! Miler mix/ INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 21, 1932. R NHLLER 1,863,931

SELECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 26. 1930 4 Sheets$heet 2 June 21, 1932. R MlLLER 1,863,931

SELECTIVE CONTROL MECHANI SM FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 26. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN' I'OR June 21, 1932.

H. R. MILLER SELECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RADIO SETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 26, 1930 run-r INVENTOR Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY It. MILLER, F BERNVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OI ONE-HALF TO PAUL A. HOLZMAN, OF TULPEHOGKEN, PENNSYLVANIA- SELECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RADIO SETS Application filed April 26, 1930. Serial No. 447,788.

This invention relates to selective control mechanism for radio sets and has for its primary object the provision of a pluralit of individual mechanisms interrelated an selectively set manually whereby, automatical- 1y. various stations may be tuned in periodically and the radio instrument setinto opera- A tion.

An object of the invention is the provision of electrically controlled mechanism or devices that may be selectively and individually set. to cooperatively function to automatically tune in various stations at timed intervals.

Another object of the invention resides in the combining in a unitary structure dial setting mechanism and circuit closing mechanism whereby a particular station may be tuned in and the radio set operated over a predetermined period.

A feature of the invention resides in the combination of a manually operated dial setting device and an automatic circuit closing device corelated in a relation that when the dial device functions the power circuit of the radio set will be closed so that the particular station dialed in will be immediately heard from. 7

Besides the above my invention is distinguished in the-simplicity of construction of the component parts and the mode of assemblage whereby the invention as a whole may be manufactured at a relatively low cost and quickly installed in radio sets of the present day design.

With these and other objects in View the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a frontelevation of a panel board ,with my invention supported thereby.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation. Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the invention.

Figure 5 is a detail view.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the solenoid mechanism and associated parts.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view through the rings.

Figure 8 is circuit.

Figure 9 is a detail view of one ofthe discs.

In my present invention I have combined certain structural features of my time switch illustrated in my co-pending application filed May 17,1929, Serial No. 363,756, with a novel type of setting mechanism whereby the two will co-function for automatically dialing in a particular station and automatically setting the radio set into operation so that the program beng broadcasted by the station dialed in may be immediately received.

As set forth in my co-pending application abovementioned my improved time switch consists of clock mechanism that is operativel related with a switch structure controllmg the continuity of an electric circuit.

The clock mechanism includes a pinion 10 fixed to the minute hand arbor 11. of the alarm clock 12 which meshes with a freely rotating gear 13 mounted on a bearin bracket 14 se cured to the casting of a ra io set or to the a diagrammatic view of the panel board 15 in any suitable manner. The

pinion 10 and the gear 13 have a ratio of twelve to one so that twelve complete revolutions of the pinion will revolve the gear 13 but once.

Gear 13 meshes with a similar ear 16 which is mounted to rotate on the s eeve or hollow shaft 17. Shaft 17 in turn is mounted to rotate in a bearing 18 suitably mounted on the panel 15. The hollow shaft 17 extends throng the panel 15 and has an indicator 19 fixed to its outer end. A rod or shaft 20, having an indicator 21 fixed thereon, extends through, and is rotatable in the sleeve or hollow shaft 17. A dial 22, fixed 0n the panel directly beneath the face of the clock 12, cooperates with the manually operatable indicators 19 and 21 to indicate at which time the radio receivilg set will be automatically turned on and o as will be more fully explained later on.

Insulatin rings 23 and 23a and metal rings 24 an 24a are secured to both sides of gear 16 by screws 25. These screws are in serted from opposite sides and have beveled heads which are countersunk into the metal rings 24 and 24a res ectively. The shank of each screw 25 exten s through the insulating ring located adjacent to the metal ring, in which the screw head rests, and through an insulating sleeve in the gear 16 and is in threaded engagement with the insulating ring on the opposite side of the gear as shown in Fi re 4.

A exible conductor 26, fixed to the base plate 27 is in constant frictional engagement with the periphery of the metal rin r 240, while a similar conductor 28 enga es the peri hery of the metal ring 24 in 1i e manner. These conductors serve as terminals to which are connected the leads A and B of the set control circuit.

By referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and it will be noted that a slide pin 29, comprising a metal shank 29a and an insulating piece 29?) formin an insulated extension of the metal shan provides the electrical connection between the metal rings 24 and 240. This slide in is mounted to slide back and forth in suitable holes located opposite each other in the metal rings. The length of the metal shank and its insulating extension is such that in the slidin back an forth between the metal rings he electric connection between the metal rings is opened or closed, depending on whether the pin is in its extreme right or left position. In one case the metal shank 29a is in contact with both rings and completes the electric circuit, while in the other case the insulating extension 29b intervenes between the metal rings and opens the electric circuit between them. In order to establish good frictional contact between pin 29 and rin 24a, any well known expedient may be emp eyed, such as spring pressure contact, etc.

To move the pin 29 axially, oppositely inclined cam members 30 and 31 are provided. These cam members are adapted to be held in adjustable positions at opposite sides of the gear 16, and pro'ect into the ath of travel of the end or hea of pin 29. he cam member 30 is fixed to a disc 32 which in turn is secured to rod 20, and cam member 31 is similarly secured to a disc 33 on the sleeve'17.

The eriphery of each disc 32 and 33 is notched: and sprin s 34 and 35 are in yielding contact therewith. The springs are secured to the base plate 27 and cooperate with the notches on the discs 32 and 33 to hold the radio discs in adjusted positions, with the proper amount of firmness.

Thus the terminals 26 and 28, rings 24 and 24a and the pin 29 constitute an electric switch which coacts with the adjustment cam members 30 and 31 to open or close the circuit when the gear 16 revolves.

Operation The simplicity of setting the time switch is a particular feature of my invention. It is merely necessary to turn the pointer 21, bearing the inscription On to the point on the dial 22 representing the time at which the radio set is to begin to operate, and the indicator 19 marked Off to the oint on the dial representing the time when t e radio set is to be turned off again. When the indicators are set, the cams 30 and 31 are of course, simultaneously properly positioned, so that when the gear 16 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3, cam 30 moves the slide or switch pin 29 to the right, as seen in Figure 6 to close the circuit at the time set, thereby turning the radio set on, and later pin 29 is moved back to the left by the cam 31, in similar manner, thereby opening the circuit at the proper time, and turning the radio set off. It will be noted that for each complete revolution of the minute hand of the clock 12 and consequently, its hand arbor 11, the gear 16 will make exactly one twelfth of a revolution, so that in twelve hours the gear 16 revolves but once. This ratio of gearing, can however, be changed to suit various conditions.

My improved dial setting mechanism which is o a design that the same may operate with or independently of my time switch mechanism consists of a disc 34 loosely mounted on the bearing 18. This disc 34 carries the pinion 35 meshing with the rack bar 36 that is in turn connected to the core 37 of a solenoid 38 by a flexible connection illustrated as a spring 39.

Inch-cling the dial 22 and having the required frictional engagement therewith is a ring 40 provided with graduate marks and carrying a setting pin 41. This pin 41 pro- .jccts a predetermined distance beyond both faces of the ring so as to be in position to arrest travel of a second pin 42 carried by the disc 34. This pin 42 also projects beyond opposite sides 0 the disc 34 and not only cooperates with the pin 41 but with a third pin 43 projecting from a gear 44 which is loosely mounted on the bearing 18. The associations of the pins are such that in the rotary movement of disc 34 the in 42 will contact with pin 43 for moving t e gear 44 with the pin, which action continues until the pin 42 strikes pin 40 whereupon further movement of the parts just mentioned is prevented.

A gear 44 meshes with a master gear 45 secured to the dial structure 46 of the radio set. The solenoid 38 is arranged in circuit with the leads A and B of the ower circuit of the radio set where upon closing of the circuit by the time switch the solenoid 38 will be energized for operating the dial mechanism.

ing the gears 44 of t e various units together.

unit B may as stop at five.

' to start at ten and sto movement to the disc 34.

In the use of my invention the pins 41 of the various units are set in their various positions corresponding to the stations to be tuned in, that is tosay the pin of the first set to tune in station WJ Z, the pin of the unit G set to tune in WEAF and the pin of unit D set to tune in WOR. The time switch mechanism of unit B can then be set to start for example at three oclock and The time switch mechanism of unit 0 may be set to start at seven and stp at eight and the time switch of the unit at twelve. In the operation 0 the clock mechanism the switch structure of the unit B will be rotated until the pin 29 contacts with one of the cam members for moving the same into position to electricall connect the rings 23 and 2230 together. on this takes' place which will be at three oclock the leads A and B will be closed for energizing the radio set and simultaneously with this action the solenoid of unit B will be energized which causes a retraction of the core 37 and a downward movement of the rack bar 36. In the downward movement of the rack bar 36 the gear 85 will be manipulated for 'ving circular the circular movement of the disc 34 pin. 42 will contact with pin 43 for turning gear 44 and with it the master gear 45 which is connected to the dialstructure of the radio set. This action will continue until the pin 42 is stopped by engagement with the setting pin 41? The particular station that 18 to say station WJZ has been, dialed in and as the circuit leads A and B has been closed it will be appreciated that station WJZ will be heard from, This will continue as long as circuit A and B is energized which will be for the riod extending .from three oclock until ve. When five oclock has been reached the pin 29 will be moved to a circuit breaking position thereby interrupting the continuity of the lead A and B for energizing the radio set and the energizing of solenoid 38. When i this has been accomplished a main spring 47 constanatfiv acting upon the master gear45will return parts to normal position. Just as soon as the circuit of unit 0 is closed as ex plained in relation to unit B this particular unit will begin to function and the same action takes place with relation to unit D when this unit is operated. Thus it will be appreciated that I have constructed the mechanism for three stations and if more stations are to be taken care of additional units can be included.

Of course it is to be understood that various other designs and parts may be utilized in the combination and various other circuit closing structures or dial setting units may be utilized as the basic feature of my invention resides in the combining of a multiplicity of dial setting and circuit closing units whereby one or more stations maybeselectively and automatically tuned in and the radio set energized. Therefore I do not desire to be limited in protection in any manner whatsoever except as set forth in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Selective control mechanism for a radio set comprising a time deyice consisting of clock mechanism including a minute hand arbor, metal rings insulated fnom each other and mounted to rotate in unison, a movable contact member adapted to establish contact between said rings, actuating means for said movable contact member, means operatively connecting saidarbor and metal rings; and dial setting mechanism operatively related withsaid time device to function therewith.

2. Selective control mechanism for a radio set comprising in combin tion clock mechanism includin a minute and arbor, metal rings insulate from each other and rotatably mounted, a separate terminal in contact wit each ring, a movable contact member carried between said metal rings and .adapted to make and break an electrical connection between said rings, adjustable actuating means for said movable contact member, means operatively connecting said arbor and metal rings and dial setting means rendered active upon said contact member electrically connecting said rings to ther.

3. Selective contro mechanism for a radio set comprising clock mechanism including a minute hand arbor, metal rings insulated from each other and mounted to rotate in unison, a separate terminal in contact with each metal ri a movable contact member carried by sai metalrin and adapted to make and break an electrical connection be- .tween' said rings, a dial, adjustable contact member actuating means, indicators coopcrating with said dial and connectin with said actuating means, means operative connecting said minute hand arbor and sai actuating means electrically energized upon said contact member electrically connecting said rings together.

4. Selective control mechanism for a radio set comprising clock mechanism having a minute hand arbor, a gear rotated by said arbor, a metal ring carried on each side of said gear and electrically insulated therefrom, a sliding pin comprising a metal shank and an insulated extension at one end thereof, said slidable pin being carried by said gear and mounted to slide in said metal rings, means located on one side of said rin s to alternately move said pin back and fort between said metal rings and make and break electrical connections there between and dial actuating mechanism rotably mounted with relation to said rings and including a solenoid for operating said dial actuating mechanism and adapted to have its circuit closed when said pin electrically connects said rings together.

5. In combination, time mechanism, control mechanism and a switch operatively associated with said control mechanism and with said time mechanism and consisting of a pair of metallic rings insulated from each ot ier and having a drive connection with said time mechanism and a switch element having a slidable electrical connection with said rings and an operative connection with said control mechanism; and dial settingmechanism operatively set into operation upon energizing of the said metallic rings.

6. In combination, time mechanism, control mechanism and an electric switch device interposed therebetween and operatively associated with both of said mechanisms including a pair of metallic rings insulated from each other and having a drive connection with the time mechanism, a switch element opzratively associated with said rings for e ctrically connecting and disconnecting said rin s and cam members operatively associate with said contact element and under the control of said control mechanism; and dial setting mechanism actuated upon said rings being electrically connected by said switch element.

7. In combination, clock mechanism, indicators, and a switch device arran d between the indicators and the clock mec anism consisting of a gear having a drive connection with said clock mechanism and a pair of metallic rings su ported by said gear but insulated from eac other, a contact pin slidably supported by said rings for electrically ,connecting and disconnecting-the rings and cam members having an adjustable o rative relation with said pin and under 1; e control of said indicators; and dial setting mechanism including electrical operating means directly energize upon said contact pin electrically connecting said rin s together.

8. The combination of clock mechanism and a pair of manually adjustable indicators, with aswitch device consisting of a gear having a drive connection with said clock mechamsm, a pair of rings having a parallel relation with said gear and having an insulated connection therewith to move with said gear,

. for operating a contact pin slidably mounted in said rings to electrically connect said rings, and an insulating iece mounted on sai pin for destroying e cctrical connection between the pin and both of said rings, and a pair of cam members for giving reciprocatory movements to said pin and under the control of said indicators and dial setting mechanism mounted in alignment with said rings and including a power device electrically operated and in circuit with said ring to be energized upon said contact pin electrically connecting said rings together.

9. In combination, clock mechanism, a switch device actuated thereby consisting of a gear having a direct drive connection with the clock mechanism, a pair of metallic rings insulated from but carried upon said gear for movement therewith, a metallic pin slidably sup orted by said rings to electrically connect t e same, an insulated piece mounted on one end of said pin to break electrical connection between the in and both of said rings in a predetermine position of the in, a pair of adjustably mounted cam mem ers for 'ving sliding movements to the pin for making and breaking electrical connection between the rings, and indicators connected to each cam member for adjusting the osition thereof relative to said pin; and dia setting mechanism consisting of a ear train for operating the dial structure 0 a radio set and solenoid for operating said gear train electrically when said metallic pm electrically connects said rings.

10. In combination, clock mechanism, a

switch device directl connected thereto, to be driven thereby an including a gear having a direct drive connection with said mech nmsn contact rin s carried by the gear, a pin slidably supporte whereby the pin in one of its positions will electrically connect the rings and in another position electrically disconnect the rings, control mechanism for controllin the shdable movements of said pin for ma a'nism consistin of a car train a rack bar e gear train and a solenoid for operating said rack bar arranged in electric circuit with said contact rings.

11. In combination, clock mechanism a switch device directly driven thereby consisting of a gear having a direct drive connection with the clock mechanism, a pair of rin mounted on op osite sides of said gear an insulated there rom, a double headed contact element slidablv supported by the rings and consisting of metallic and nonmetallic ortions whereby in one position of the pin t e rings areelectrically connected and in another osition of the in the rin are electrically isconnected, in icators eac includin a cam member adapted to be adjusted relative to the head portion of the pin ng and breaking electrical connection between the rings and dial setting mesh;

for contacting therewith in the movement of said gear for giving reciproeatory moves ments to the contact element anddial setting mechanism consisting o a fear tram, means for controllin theextento movement of the gear train an an electrical device for operatm [the gear train in electric circuit with sai contact rings.

12.111 combination with the dial structure and power circuit of a radio set, time mechanism and dialse ting mechanism interrelated for periodically closing said power circuit. and automatically adj ustmg said dial structure, said time mechanism consisting of clock mechanism, a switch device operated b the clock mechanism a manually operated eviee for controlling the closin of the switch clevice accordin to the tion to which it is moved by said clock 'mechanisn}, said dial 2 setting mechanism consisting o a master gear secured to the dial structure; a second gear meshing therewith, a rack bar for giv- 1n movements to said secondgear a man- 'ua y ad ustable device associated with said second gear to control the extent of movement thereof and a solenoid for operating said rack bar. a

In witness whereof "I have hereunto set my hand. HENRY R. 

